Cats are pretty well adapted for cold weather, but when the temperature dips below freezing they are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. During periods of cold weather, cats will go looking for a warm place to hunker down.
Cats prefer warmth but will be okay in rooms hovering between 50-60 degrees. This is not ideal for them though, and you'll likely notice your cat seeking out additional heat by snuggling up to a radiator, blanket, or you!
How to Keep Cats Warm in Winter. A loving cuddle on the couch together is one of the best ways to keep your cat—and yourself—warm in the winter. Here are some other tips to help your cat stay cozy: Leave out a soft blanket, towel, or pet bed in a warm room so they can snuggle up on their own when they want to rest.
Don't use blankets, towels or folded newspaper; they absorb body heat and chill cats who are lying on them.
Outdoor Cat Care In Winter: Tips To Keep Your Feline Friends Warm And Safe. Most cats can safely spend time outdoors nearly all year long. But when temperatures drop, your furry friends may need a little help to stay warm, dry, and well-fed.
Feral cats seek out abandoned buildings, deserted cars, and even dig holes in the ground to keep warm in winter months (and cool during the summer heat). If you have feral or community cats in your neighborhood, here are a few ways you can lend a helping hand: Set out extra food during winter.
Cats love a warm patch of sunlight or a cozy blanket-covered lap even in the hottest months, but in the winter they will do just about anything to stay warm. Here are some tips to keep pets and community cats warm and safe until Spring.
In general, all cats will begin to feel cold when the temperature goes under 7-8 degrees °C. Although this species prefers warmth, it can do well with an indoor temperature of at least 10-15 degrees. So make sure that you set your thermostat accordingly, even when you're out of the house.
Yes, cats do get cold, and most of them don't like the cold temperature all that much. If YOU think it's cold, your cat will probably think it's cold, too. The normal body temperature range for a human is 97.9 to 99° Fahrenheit. According to research, a cat's normal body temperature range is 99 to 102.5° Fahrenheit.
We strongly advise that anything below 7 degrees Celsius is too cold for a cat to go outside though. If your cat is hairless, has a particularly short coat or is old, young or sick, this temperature will be much too low for them, and we highly recommend that you keep them indoors where it's warm.
For Warmth and Comfort
Cats may be more relaxed and less stressed when covered by a blanket, which can help them get better sleep. Blankets also carry their owners' scent, which cats recognize as part of their home and family.
Cats trying to survive the outdoors need more feed during winter because they use up more energy to stay warm. Dry food is a popular choice for people taking care of strays because it doesn't freeze or dry out and most cats will eat it.
Check their ears, paws and tail
So have a feel of your cat's ears, paws and tail and if these body parts feel cold, then chances are your cat is cold.
Cats' primary responses to being cold are to conserve heat, such as curling up, and to generate warmth, such as shivering. If a cat becomes too cold, he may develop hypothermia. This occurs when his body temperature drops below normal (<99°F) and occurs because he is losing more heat than he can generate.
A cold cat might seek out warmer spaces more frequently than usual. This can include burrowing under covers, snuggling on your lap, or trying to sleep on a warm spot like a heated vent. Of course, this varies from cat to cat.
Cats will sleep wherever they feel safe—and that may be outside in a quiet, dark corner of your house or yard. However, it's essential to remember that cats don't want to be surprised by something (like a loud noise).
Night time is particularly risky for cats who are outdoors. Night time dangers of concern include: Cars – Your cat is harder to see at night and at higher risk of meeting the wrong end of traffic. Predators – Nocturnal predators like coyote, fox, and even owls are a risk for cats.
On average, many veterinary professionals agree that when the temperature hits the freezing mark of 32 degrees, its too cold for a domesticated, indoor cat. Most, however, suggest that even 45 degrees is too cold for a cat to be outside, and recommend keeping them in.
Straw NOT Hay: An outdoor cat house filled with straw - not hay - will keep your cats warm during the winter. Hay and straw look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess.
And in the winter, a wet bed can even be dangerous, making cats more likely to get sick. Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters. Loosely pack the straw in the shelter to the quarter or halfway point. That's it!
Cats love warm and cozy spaces, but you don't have to keep your thermostat set to sauna-level just for them. They can't ask you to turn up the heat (although they would if they could), and it's not exactly comfortable (or healthy) for you to turn your home into a steam room.